Crypto hardware wallet comparison Coldcard Mk4 vs Trezor Model One

Our impressions

Coldcard Mk4

Trezor Model One

Pros
not reviewed yet
  • Small form factor and very portable
  • Excellent value at an affordable price point
Cons
not reviewed yet
  • MicroUSB in this day and age is quite outdated, but still connects to USB-A or newer USB-C ports
  • Requires constant USB connection to operate
  • Limitations compared toย Trezor Model T
    • Supports fewer coins and misses support for e.g.: XRP, ADA (Cardano), XMR (Monero)
    • Button input can be cumbersome compared to the touchscreen of the Model T
  • Key extraction vulnerability (if an attacker with the right tools and knowledge has physical access to the hardware wallet)
Verdict
not reviewed yet

Despite being the very first hardware wallet product, with itโ€™s debut in 2014, the Trezor Model One is still one of the best hardware wallets. It has a very attractive price point, while providing excellent value and functionality.

Make sure to use a passphrase if you are worried about key extraction attacks.ย Read more about the vulnerability

Disclaimer: Our impressions are based on a compilation of factors tailored to the average user’s perspective. It is also important to note that whether a feature is a “pro” or “con” can depend on your situation and preferences. What may be an advantage in one scenario could be a challenge in another, and vice versa. Therefore, while reviewing these points, it’s essential to consider your unique requirements and circumstances when making decisions. This list aims to provide an idea of what to anticipate, but it is not the ultimate guide to determining whether something will work for you or not.

Key features

Coldcard Mk4

Trezor Model One

Release year

2022

2014

Supported coins

Supports only Bitcoin

Supports multiple coins, Bitcoin-only mode available

  • BTC, ETH, LTC, XLM , DOGE, DASH, ZEC, NEM,
  • and a thousand others. See a full list at trezor.io/coins
Open source
  • Firmware
  • Companion software
  • Firmware
  • Companion software
Seedphrase support
  • BIP-39 (Mnemonic phrase)
  • Passphrase
  • BIP-39 (Mnemonic phrase)
  • Passphrase
Security protections
  • Secure element
  • On device PIN entry
  • Factory reset with wrong PIN
  • Factory reset with decoy PIN
  • Fake wallet with duress PIN
  • On device passphrase entry
  • On device recovery

Dual Secure Element
Multiple Trick PIN features
– Duress PIN
– Countdown to Brick (or Reset) PIN
– Brick Me PIN
– Login Countdown
On device recovery requires a previous SD Card backup or XPRV private key file on SD Card

  • On device PIN entry
  • Factory reset with wrong PIN
  • Factory reset with decoy PIN
  • On device recovery
Platform compatibility
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Android
  • ChromeOS

Chrome OS is not officially supported and relies on WebUSB in the Chrome browser. This means that, i.e., itโ€™s not possible to set up a freshly unboxed Trezor One, you need to perform the first-time firmware installation on a PC or Mac.

Authentication token
  • FIDO U2F
  • SSH
Additional features
  • GPG encryption
  • Password Manager

Technical specifications

Coldcard Mk4

Trezor Model One

Dimensions

88 mm x 52 mm x 10 mm
3.46 in x 2.05 in x 0.39 in

60 mm x 30 mm x 6 mm
2.36 in x 1.18 in x 0.24 in

Weight

30 g
1.06 oz

12 g
0.42 oz

Display
  • Monochrome
  • OLED

128 x 64 pixels

  • Monochrome
  • OLED

Monochrome display
128 x 64 px

Connectivity
  • USB-C
  • NFC
  • micro USB
Storage
  • microSD card
Processor

120 MHz CPU

120 Mhz Cortex-M3

Safety & Certifications

CE and RoHS certifications
Airplane and X-ray safe

Housing

Plastics

Robust plastics
Available in black or white
Silicone protection case in multiple colors available

Where to buy

Coldcard Mk4

Trezor Model One